Heartbreaking Loss: Baby Dies in Ocean County Tragic Accident

According to the Ocean County Prosecutors Office, on May 17, 2025, Wendy Castillo-Torres, 30, of Lakehurst, was charged with Causing Death While Driving Without a Valid Driver’s License in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Jackson Township on May 17, 2025, resulting in the death of her infant son.

On May 17, 2025, at approximately 6:15 p.m., Officers from the Jackson Township Police Department responded to an address on Grawtown Road for a report of a child having been struck by a motor vehicle.

Responding Officers found an unresponsive ten-month-old male with serious injuries. The infant was transported to Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus in Lakewood, where he was pronounced deceased.

An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Jackson Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that Castillo-Torres brought her ten-month-old son to the address on Grawtown Road, where she utilized a friend’s garage to clean motor vehicles.

The infant was positioned in a bouncer seat between two vehicles. Upon completion of the vehicle cleanings, Castillo-Torres entered one of the vehicles to move it; instead of placing the vehicle in reverse, however, she placed the vehicle in drive - trapping the infant between the two vehicles.

Castillo-Torres immediately put the vehicle in reverse, and a companion called 911.

The investigation further revealed that Castillo-Torres did not possess a valid driver’s license at the time of the crash. Castillo-Torres was served with the aforementioned charge via summons pending future appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.

“Our investigation indicates that this is a tragic accident, our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated. Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Jackson Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation.

The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).

Heartbreaking Loss: Baby Dies in Ocean County Tragic Accident

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Heartbreaking Loss: Baby Dies in Ocean County Tragic Accident